Three women among seven in court for ganja, ammunition

Three women were among six people granted more $400,000 in bail yesterday on possession of ammunition and marijuana charges. Another accused person was denied bail. The accused, who were arrested in a Pleasantville, San Fernando, house on Wednesday, appeared before San Fernando Second Court Magistrate Siumongal Ramsaran.

They are charged with possession of 772 grammes of marijuana within 500 metres of the Pleasantville Secondary School for the purpose of trafficking. They are also charged with possession of six rounds of ammunition. Police made the arrests after raiding a house on Coconut Boulevard. It is alleged that the marijuana was found hidden in a video player, while the six rounds of ammunition were found in a chair leg.

They were charged by PC Shernell Brisbane.  Accused Negus Archer, 26, and his brother Shaka, 22, who police say have previous convictions, were each granted $150,000 bail. The women, Candice James, 26, a clerk, Melissa Lawrence, a restaurant worker, and Ayanna Clarke, a caterer, were each given $30,000 bail.

Anderson Granger, 21, who was represented by attorney Dexter Bailey, was granted $75,000 bail. The seventh accused, Atiba Nathaniel, was not granted bail. Court prosecutor Dianath Harricharan asked for an opportunity to have him traced. Attorney Michelle Rampaul represented the other accused. Nathaniel  will return to court on May 11 and the others will reappear on June 4.